Bloemfontein’s got a property for everyone

The City of Roses, established in 1846, bears a colourful history and a big reputation; not only is it home to the Supreme Court of Appeal but, also to the Maphikela House (where the ANC was established). J.R.R Tolkien, the famous author of the “Lord of the Rings Trilogy”, was also born in here on the 3rd of January 1892. Today Bloemfontein is also known as Mangaung which means “Place of the cheetahs” (both the animals and the Rugby team) and falls within the Mangaung Local Municipality situated in the heart of South Africa.

What makes the city attractive from a property point of view is the large variety in terms of developments as well as the continual demand for accommodation created by the army base, hospital and university. These institutions supply a constant influx of personnel and students, adding to the thriving community that permanently lives in Bloemfontein.

“We’re seeing a lot of movement in the local property market. In fact we’re very busy at the moment and haven’t experienced too much of the slowness many other property markets are facing”, says Wynand Liebenberg, Principal of Leapfrog Bloemfontein. The market does share a similarity with the rest of the country in that more affordable segment (R700, 000 to R1.50 000) is seeing the most buying activity.
Based on the diversity of needs there will be a suburb with property catering to your pocket:

According to Lightstone, Dan Pienaar, situated in the north of Bloemfontein, is seeing a fair amount of young buyers (aged between 18 and 35) with property prices averaging at R1.51 500 for a freehold property and R1.142 for a sectional title respectively.

Arboretum, the adjoining suburb, has mainly sectional title properties which are averaging at R2.10 000 (freeholds at R950 000) with data indicating that 40% of new buyers are between the ages of 18 and 35.  Over 70% of the properties in Westdene are also sectional title with around a R1.500 000 price tag. Westdene also happens to be home to the Sand du Plessis Theatre (one of the most modern arts theatres in the world).
To the south west is Universitas, a quiet upmarket area where house prices range from R1.22 900 for sectional titles to R874 000 for freehold properties. Sixty percent of buyers are 49 years old and younger indicating it’s desirability for younger families with children. The is home to and/or near to the University of the Free State, Grey College, Eunice Primary and Secondary as well as Universitas Primary.

Upmarket Waverley consists mostly of freehold properties with prices around the R1.400 000 mark and 20% of buyers between the ages of 36 and 49.

When it comes to schools Bloemfontein has more than 40, some of which are famous for their educational standards and traditions (like Gray College), as well as two universities and various private colleges. “We find that Bloemfontein has so much to offer in terms of education, recreation and work opportunities that many people simply upscale within the town as opposed to moving to supposedly greener pastures like Cape
Town or Johannesburg”, says Liebenberg.

The area is also well equipped for sports lovers with two soccer teams: the Premier Soccer League as well as Bloemfontein Celtic. It also hosts two rugby teams: the Central Cheetahs and the Free State Cheetahs. It’s also a great spot for those who enjoy cricket, soaring and motocross (run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club).

Clearly the town has much to offer – not simply in terms of art, education or sport – but also in terms of property based on the diversity available as well as the demand for both homes and rental properties.